Largs’ former police station will form part of a new housing development in the area after being purchased by the council.

The site on School Street was snapped up by North Ayrshire Council for £175,000 and will be used in phase two of the future St Colms Place development.

The station has been empty since last year after operations moved to Brooksby, while the adjoining Justice of the Peace court has not been used since the 1970s.

The proposed sheltered housing scheme was first announced in 2018, and at the time the council had no plans to purchase the police station.

However, it was announced recently that the sale had taken place, with council leader Joe Cullinane confirming that it is a positive step for the area.

He said: “The intention was to include the redevelopment as part of the St Colms Place development from the start, but the sale went through too late.

“However, the intention now is to include that as a second phase of the development where it will be turned into council housing.

“This model of trying to convert these types of properties into council housing is one we are seeing in lots of areas.

“It is a positive model for our communities and one that will be part of our regeneration delivery plan.”

Independent Councillor Ian Murdoch had been lobbying for the site to be included in the future development.

He said: “I welcome the purchase of Largs police station, I suggested that on three occasions at three different meetings.

“If the police station was for sale at a reasonable price, I asked if that site could be bought and incorporated in the redevelopment of St Colms Place in Largs.”

The police station was originally built in 1871 and artefacts from as far back as 1907 remained until it closed, such as books detailing former policing practices.

The station had two floors and included a reception area and cells, which were taken out of use many years ago with those arrested taken to Saltcoats instead.